Hindu calendar for 2010

Hindu calendar for 2010

Thursday 14 January:

Makar Sankrant
Makar Sankrant is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar and celebrates the sun's journey into the northern hemisphere.

Wednesday 20 January:

Vasant Panchami
Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Friday 12 February

Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Sunday 28 February:

Holi
The Hindu spring festival.

Wednesday 24 March:

Swaminarayan Jayanti
This day marks the birth of Lord Swaminarayan for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition.

Rama Navami
Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Tuesday 30 March:

Hanuman Jayanti
This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Tuesday 24 August:

Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Thursday 2 September:

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti
The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Friday 8 October:

Navaratri (start)
Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Sunday 17 October:

Dussera
Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Friday 5 November:

Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.